NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    More
    In the news
    Narendra Modi
    Amit Shah
    Box Office Collection
    Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
    OTT releases
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    NewsBytes
    User Placeholder

    Hi,

    Logout

    India
    Business
    World
    Politics
    Sports
    Technology
    Entertainment
    Auto
    Lifestyle
    Inspirational
    Career
    Bengaluru
    Delhi
    Mumbai

    Download Android App

    Follow us on
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
    Home / News / Technology News / Why are WhatsApp, Signal at odds with UK's new legislation
    Next Article
    Why are WhatsApp, Signal at odds with UK's new legislation
    WhatsApp and Signal signed an open letter against UK's new Online Safety Bill

    Why are WhatsApp, Signal at odds with UK's new legislation

    By Athik Saleh
    Apr 18, 2023
    08:07 pm

    What's the story

    We know WhatsApp and Signal as rival messaging platforms. Now, they have joined forces with other messaging platforms to openly challenge a proposed UK legislation.

    Leaders of companies have signed an open letter urging the UK government to rethink its new Online Safety Bill.

    Why are these messaging platforms at odds with the UK government? Let's take a look.

    Bill

    The bill makes companies accountable for user safety

    UK's Online Safety Bill intends to protect children and adults online by requiring search engines and social media companies to remove illegal and harmful material.

    The bill makes companies accountable for user safety. They will be responsible for user-generated content, and they will have to ensure adequate steps have been taken to protect users from harmful content.

    Issue

    Bill would result in an abuse of power: Online platforms

    Since the bill was proposed, several people have criticized how it would weaken encryption in private communications. This is the problem companies like WhatsApp and Signal have with it.

    They believe the bill would result in an abuse of power by the UK government and its communication regulator OFCOM (Office of Communication) while moderating online platforms.

    E2EE

    Bill could provide government with backdoor access to encrypted messages

    The main concern about the bill is related to end-to-end encryption. The bill requires messaging platforms that provide end-to-end encrypted services to scan messages for material on child sex abuse.

    Critics and companies believe that this would provide the government with backdoor access to break encryption. They see this as an invasion of privacy by the government.

    Letter

    'Bill provides no explicit protection for encryption'

    "The Bill provides no explicit protection for encryption, and if implemented as written, could empower OFCOM to try to force the proactive scanning of private messages on end-to-end encrypted communication services—nullifying the purpose of end-to-end encryption as a result and compromising the privacy of all users," the letter reads.

    The United Nations has also warned against the bill.

    Change

    WhatsApp and Signal are ready to cease operations in UK

    Companies want the UK government to ensure the bill matches "the government's stated intention to protect end-to-end encryption and respect the human right to privacy."

    WhatsApp and Signal have previously expressed their readiness to cease operations in the UK if the bill is passed in its current form.

    "There cannot be a British internet" or a UK-specific version of end-to-end encryption, the letter reads.

    Information

    Leaders of seven companies signed the letter

    The signatories to the letter include Matthew Hodgson, CEO, Element; Alex Linton, Director, OPTF/Session; Meredith Whittaker, President, Signal; Martin Blatter, CEO, Threema; Ofir Eyal, CEO, Viber; and Alan Duric, CTO, Wire.

    Facebook
    Whatsapp
    Twitter
    Linkedin
    Related News
    Latest
    WhatsApp
    Signal
    United Kingdom

    Latest

    Sanju Samson completes 4,000 IPL runs for Rajasthan Royals: Stats  Sanju Samson
    RR pacers Charak, Madhwal shine with three-fers against CSK: Stats  Indian Premier League (IPL)
    MS Dhoni gets to 350 sixes in T20 cricket: Stats  Mahendra Singh Dhoni
    KL Rahul averages 74.23 versus MI in IPL: Key stats  KL Rahul

    WhatsApp

    WhatsApp adds new features to status updates on iOS, Android iOS
    WhatsApp gets increased file sharing limit, new video recording mode Meta
    WhatsApp feature alert: High-quality photo sharing coming to desktop soon Meta
    How to access Valentine's Day sticker pack on WhatsApp Valentine's Day

    Signal

    US: Indian family missing; authorities fear vehicle crashed into river Honda
    3D-printed gun makers are spreading anonymously on the internet 3D Printing
    WhatsApp's disappearing messages, dark-mode features: Here's how to use them WhatsApp
    Leaving WhatsApp after hack? Other chat apps aren't secure either WhatsApp

    United Kingdom

    Chai with samosa is suddenly the rage in the UK Food
    SC junks PIL seeking complete ban on BBC in India Supreme Court Of India
    Day 2: I-T Department may question BBC's senior management today  Income Tax Department of India
    Nicola Sturgeon resigns as Scotland's first minister Scotland
    Indian Premier League (IPL) Celebrity Hollywood Bollywood UEFA Champions League Tennis Football Smartphones Cryptocurrency Upcoming Movies Premier League Cricket News Latest automobiles Latest Cars Upcoming Cars Latest Bikes Upcoming Tablets
    About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive Download DevBytes Find Cricket Statistics
    Follow us on
    Facebook Twitter Linkedin
    All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2025